Templeton Access

[Les W]

I have been asked to circulate the following due to some cavers recently going over to Templeton without contacting the diggers. As a result, access is threatened to this site. Please adhere to the access conditions, if you want to have a look then contact the diggers who will be extremely pleased to give you a tour.

SADLY, WE HAVE TO REMIND CAVERS ONCE AGAIN THAT ACCESS TO
TEMPLETON IS ONLY PERMITTED BY THE FARMER ON DIG NIGHTS
MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY, 7pm ONWARDS.
WE HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 12 YEARS ON THIS DIG, AND INVESTED
HEAVILY IN CASH AND MANPOWER. WE WILL NOT LOOK KINDLY ON
ANYONE WHO ABUSES THE ACCESS CONDITIONS, CAUSING THE
FARMER TO EVICT US.
Templeton Dig Team 16th July 2014

 

[cap n chris]

I know it's probably a stupid question (I already know the answer*) but is it worth putting a sign to this effect on the field gate on the drove?

* Cavers can't read, so it actually is pointless.

 

[estelle]

I really think it would be worth having some signage to this effect as it it so close to footpaths that it will attract interest. I'll make sure the above is circulated to the BEC anyway and i think all the Mendip clubs could do with it circulated around their mailing lists, forums or whatever as i get the feeling a fairly reasonable majority of Mendip cavers don't visit here very often or at all.

 

[graham]

Have circulated to UBSS.

 

[cap n chris]

It's also been circulated to MCG by Hayley and WCC by me (I paraphrased it a bit to make it somewhat less melodramatic).

 

[estelle]

I just copied and pasted what was on the CSCC website news page as that has a bit more explanation on it.

 

[Hughie]

I know it's probably a stupid question (I already know the answer*) but is it worth putting a sign to this effect on the field gate on the drove?

* Cavers can't read, so it actually is pointless.

Also, as I understand it, they didn't enter via the gate.

 

[Les W]

Also, as I understand it, they didn't enter via the gate.

No, it looks like they climbed the drystone wall from the Monarch's Way footpath.
This isn't the first incident in recent times there, and at least one previous visit was by cavers that really ought to know better.  :spank:

 

[mrodoc]

As somebody who inadvertently broke the rules last year (I plead ignorance after  previous visits with a member of the digging team some years before and no notification of altered access) I am surprised it is still happening and it is why we placed a description of the current access arrangements in Descent this year, as, unless you were actually regularly on Mendip and knew the digging team.or had recently bought the new MU. you were unlikely to be aware of them. However  the posting of a notice would be a very good idea and would go a long way to solving the issue I would imagine. Templeton is unusual in that it is very highly visible and bound to be a magnet for the passerby caver or not. It is on visible on Google Earth as well so it is pretty easy to locate and may attract visitors who wonder what it is.

 

[Hughie]

As somebody who inadvertently broke the rules last year (I plead ignorance after  previous visits with a member of the digging team some years before and no notification of altered access) I am surprised it is still happening and it is why we placed a description of the current access arrangements in Descent this year, as, unless you were actually regularly on Mendip and knew the digging team.or had recently bought the new MU. you were unlikely to be aware of them. However  the posting of a notice would be a very good idea and would go a long way to solving the issue I would imagine. Templeton is unusual in that it is very highly visible and bound to be a magnet for the passerby caver or not. It is on visible on Google Earth as well so it is pretty easy to locate and may attract visitors who wonder what it is.

Would refer you to the CSCC website for access details. The information has been there a while.

 

[Elaine]

I don't think a notice is the answer. It leads to the idea that no notice = ok to visit when you like.
Anyway, where would a notice go? I'm not sure the landowner would like one on his main farm gate, where it was big enough and prominent enough to be seen.
Hopefully the problem will be solved soon as a mega lid is being put on the hole. This will be locked.
Incidentally, the Descent article was wrong saying digging nights are Monday and Thursdays. Whereas they are actually Monday and Wednesday.

 

[mrodoc]

We'll correct that in the next Descent (not sure how that crept in!) and repeat the access advice. Perhaps the diggers will have something to report as well :-\